2017 NBA Draft - Brew Hoop Community Draft Board: Sharpshooting Monk sticks at 6th

Brew Hoop readers showed their appreciation for the long ball with the next selection in the draft board. Coming in sixth is the offensively explosive half of Kentucky’s freshman back court: Malik Monk - SG, Kentucky.

No point in beating around the bush, Monk is a shooter. He shot 40% on threes on 8.6 attempts for 24.8 points per 40 minutes in his lone season at Kentucky. With a true shooting percentage of 59% and an effective field goal percentage of 54.3, Monk was one of the most proficient scorers from deep in the NCAA last season. Most of his shooting comes from working through the offense and using screens to get him open looks on the perimeter, where 81.7% of his made 3s were assisted. Monk has a quick trigger and a smooth, clean form that should translate to the NBA. Unafraid to take a big shot under pressure Monk has also shown poise with a hand in his face.

Besides an impressive resume from behind the arc Monk can score in other ways as well. For a shooting guard, his 6’3” height and 6’3½” wingspan are underwhelming, especially when projecting him as someone whose average ball handling pigeonholes him into the shooting guard role. At Kentucky he was paired with the ball dominant De’Aaron Fox so he never had to run the offense though. It’s possible he just hasn’t had ample time to develop that skill at a higher level. That undersized frame will also hinder his ability to hang with players on the defensive end so he may be tasked with guarding the opposing team’s smaller point guard -- especially on a size-oriented Bucks team.

Along with average ball handling ability Monk’s decision-making skills need refinement. His shooting ability draws hard closeouts, but upon attacking the unbalanced defender off the dribble Monk struggled at times to make the right play. Extremely explosive athleticism covers up his physical deficiencies and grant him some leeway on the offensive end, but the sub-200 pound frame he carries will struggle to cope with the body-banging at the rim, where only 20% of his shots came. A hefty amount of his rim attacking offense came in transition as his speed and leaping ability stood out immensely in college.

Although Monk played in every game for the Wildcats, playing 80% of the minutes of the season as well, he would disappear occasionally on the court. His lack of playmaking and preferred catch-and-shoot style of play confined him to cold spells and wasted movement, specifically later in the season. He was never asked to do much in the pick and roll either. Monk ended the season with identical 13.3% assist and turnover percentages, according to barttorvik.com. Additionally, his 82% free throw shooting should translate easily to the Association.

With elite quickness and a swift first step Monk’s only hindrance on defense should be his defense, but those same offensive lapses occur on defense as well. Laterally, he can stick with almost anyone when he’s locked in, but Monk may rely on his athleticism to overcome his inattentiveness on defense.

Monk will be an offensive spark wherever he lands, and the fleet of foot high-volume shooting guard would be a great addition to the Bucks backcourt because he’d also allow the Greek Freak to maintain primary ball handling duties. He won’t fall that far, but Monk showed the ability to go nuclear on the offensive end. There are some holes in his game, but Malik Monk could be an elite scorer in a similar role as Klay Thompson.

The 2017 Brew Hoop Draft Board

1. Markelle Fultz - PG, Washington - DraftExpress Profile
2. Lonzo Ball - PG, UCLA - DraftExpress Profile
3. Josh Jackson - SF, Kansas - DraftExpress Profile
4. De’Aaron Fox - PG, Kentucky - DraftExpress Profile
5. Jayson Tatum - SF, Duke - DraftExpress Profile
6. Malik Monk - SG, Kentucky - DraftExpress Profile